A Huge Financial Gamble For My Dream Job, What Would You Do?

Wow - can you get a loan for £75,000? That's a huge amount of money! That said, as many have already advised, you should go for it if you can.
Else in 10 yrs when you're working a 9-5 trying to make ends meet you'll go nuts wondering what could have been.
 
Try to get a job-based sponsorship scheme if you can- no amount of training is worth anything without on-the-job experience. The RAF has been mentioned, even if the license doesn't transfer over, it's a significant amount of flying experience and training - plus a good, well paid job- which I'm sure will count in your favour.
 
£75,000 debt isn't to be taken lightly. If you can make a job out of it definitely then it's an investment, if you can't, it's a straight up gamble.
 
my view's on this.

i cant believe your asking what we would do.

you have said "its your dream job"

£7,500 as you said is not a lot on a pilot's wages.

your only 17 so what have you got to lose ?

just do it and never look back.

i wish i had the opportunity to do something like this when i was younger.
 
7,500 a year might not be a huge chunk of a captains salary, but realistically you won't be earning money of any form pretty much until your late 20's I would guess and that is being very optimistic, becoming an airline pilot is very very competitive and you will be doing mail runs etc at best for the first few years as a job. The pay is basically like earning dirt and trying to use it for cash. Your first years working as a pilot are doing anything and everything to get your hours up, I was told as a general idea of what to aim for you won't even be looked at for a job as a commercial pilot with an airline with anything under about 2000 hours.

That being said though, go for it for sure, like most people have said, it is your dream job and on top of that you will get to travel a bit around which is absolutely awesome. You are also only 17 and almost have your PPL's already which is a good effort and obviously shows you are willing to put in the time and dedication that is needed for it, and if you are a smart enough person that you won't get snowed under with everything that comes from being a pilot your definately on the right track.

I would also like to put in a +1 for the people who have said to go the RAF option, that way you get paid to train and it is by far the best training for a pilot, far better option than doing it the commercial way, plus you meet some awesome people through the defence force as well. If you haven't looked into this option, do it before you make a decision with the £75,000 way.
 
Been on www.pprune.org ? Lots of v v useful info out there, esp in the newbies and training forums for you. It is a risk at the mo, there arent a lot of jobs out there and way more pilots than jobs, but most of the new jobs are going to new entrants, who are willing to work for much less money than most other experienced pilots, and you will also be expected to pay for your type rating on an Airbus/Boeing, which as said will be another £20/25k. You certainly dont 'need' 2000+hrs to get that first job, just to be willing to get into more debt! That way the company make even more money out of you and you get a job and more flying hours.

I would make sure also that its in writing you dont have to start repaying until you have an airline job, also £7.5k a year could be a fairly large chunk of your starting salary for a FO.

Going into the forces isnt really the best way to being an airline pilot as you will come out of the forces without the required licences and will have to spend further money to get them, so only do that if you actually want to fly in the forces.
 
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I dont think this is anywhere near as clear cut as people think it is, but I think you need to be asking pilots these questions not us :)
 
Agree with other's definitely go for it.

You have already said the 75K won't be paid back until you become a pilot and 7.5K is nothing on a pilot's wages.

To be honest, you are in superb position for someone your age. Do it or forever regret it.

As someone almost twice your age, I can tell you to take these opportunities or forever regret them.
 
lukefinch said:
Hmmm, decisions, decisions...
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Mate, don't even ask, just do it.

You're young, you don't have ANY responsibilities; no mortgage, no wife, no kids, no car payments and no career. All you have to worry about it living your life with no regrets.

Do you honestly think if you pass this opportunity and look back in 10-20 years time you'll think you made the right choice? Seize life by the testicles, bend it over and ride it into the sunset! :D
 
Theophany said:
You're young, you don't have ANY responsibilities; no mortgage
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He might as well have when he has a £75k debt. Thats many peoples mortgage!

He needs to discuss his aspirations with people with credible experience in the same thing. It's all very easy to sit here and go LOL MATE JUST DO IT LOLZ but the reality is that getting a good job as a pilot is far from assured even after training.

Go and ask the questions on a credible pilots forum - the advice they give is far more relevant than what we can offer.

If it was as simple as taking an easy to get loan you dont pay back for ages and swanning off to Florida dont you think we'd all be doing it? ;)
 
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